Boehringer Ingelheim boosts veterinary pipeline with acquisition of Swiss biotech Evax AG

Boehringer Ingelheim has acquired Swiss biotech Evax AG, specialising in virus-like particle vaccines for horses, aiming to revolutionise treatment of allergic skin diseases through immunological solutions targeting the root cause.

Boehringer Ingelheim has acquired Evax AG, a Swiss biotech founded more than a decade ago at the University of Zurich focused on therapeutic vaccines for equine health, with a lead programme targeting allergic skin diseases in horses.

Equine allergic dermatitis is a prevalent and commercially significant disease area. Allergic skin conditions affect horses broadly, with current management options including topical shampoos and corticosteroids , approaches that are time-consuming, provide temporary relief, carry safety concerns with long-term use, and critically, treat symptoms rather than the underlying immunological cause. Virus-like particle therapeutic vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system to produce neutralising antibodies against the root cause of disease, offering the prospect of longer duration of action, improved outcomes and greater owner compliance.

Dr Antonia Gabriel, CEO and founder of Evax, said the company is excited to access Boehringer Ingelheim’s innovation, supply and commercial capabilities as it advances through the next development phases. Saskia Kley, Global Head of Equine at Boehringer Ingelheim, described the acquisition as potentially offering horse owners the first innovative therapeutic option targeting the underlying cause of allergic skin disease.

The transaction builds on Boehringer Ingelheim’s strategic commitment to therapeutic vaccines across animal health. The company acquired Saiba Animal Health in 2024 following an earlier collaboration, establishing a virus-like particle platform it now views as capable of addressing chronic diseases in companion animals and allergy-related disorders in horses.

Knut Elbers, Head of Global Innovation, Animal Health at Boehringer Ingelheim, described virus-like particle technology as “a truly innovative approach in animal health” with potential to improve wellbeing across species. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.